MPD: Devotees climbing up Nazareno andas slowing down Traslacion

Devotees climbing up the andas or carriage bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno are slowing down the traditional Traslacion or procession on Thursday morning, the Manila Police District (MPD) said.

"Ayon sa report sa atin, approaching na ng Maria Orosa along Burgos Drive [ang Traslacion]," MPD Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay told Unang Balita at 6:26 a.m.

(According to our report, it is approaching Maria Orosa along Burgos Drive.)

"Tuloy-tuloy naman ang usad, kaya lang marami pa ring nag-aattempt na sumampa," he said.

(The procession is moving well, but many people are still attempting to climb up [the andas].)

"Hindi natin mapigilan ang kanilang pagsampa at sumasalubong na siyang nagpapabagal sa daloy ng ating prusisyon," Ibay added.

(We could not stop them from climbing up and meeting the carriage head on which is slowing down our procession.)

The Traslacion began at 4:41 a.m. when the image of Jesus Nazareno left Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

The procession will go through the streets of Manila and will end at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo Church.

WATCH: Traslacion route for Nazareno 2025 bared

Ibay said the Traslacion slowed down as it left Quirino Grandstand and when it passed in front of MPD Station 5.

"Kanina pagka-alis sa Quirino Grandstand, nagtagal po kasi nabalaos (nabalaho) Siya. Naharang ng maraming deboto natin. Nagtagal sa may tapat ng Station 5. Pero nu'ng nakalabas na doon, nakaalis sa pagkabalaos doon, tuloy-tuloy na sa Roxas Boulevard corner Katigbak. Kaya lang marami ulit sumalubong na deboto doon kaya bumagal ulit ang pag-andar," he said.

(Earlier when it left Quirino Grandstand, it got stopped by many devotees. Then it also got stopped in front of Station 5. But when it was able to move out from the area, the procession proceeded to Roxas Boulevard corner Katigbak. However, many devotees met the procession there so it slowed down again.)

Reminder

Ibay said members of the Hijos del Nazareno continuously remind devotees not to climb up the andas.

"'Yun ang napag-usapan at 'yun ang naririnig natin kasi meron naman silang megaphone at 'yun ang ginagamit nila sa pakikipag-usap o pagsaway dito sa mga pumipilit na sumampa," he added.

(That was what was agreed upon and that is also what we heard them do. They have a megaphone and it is what they use to appeal to devotees not to climb up the andas.)

According to a 2019 study by the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences Research, more devotees attempt to climb the andas when it slows down or enters a narrow street.

They also coined the term “hustle rate” for devotees trying to climb the andas when it reaches narrow pathways.

The study said that the hustle rate reaches up to 56 people per minute or more than 500 people every 10 minutes and was heaviest along Fraternal and Vergara Street.

More than 200,000 people

As of 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., the Quiapo Church said around 230,000 people have been observed at Rizal Park, while around 16,700 were at Quiapo Church. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross said it has so far helped a total of 111 patients in the early hours of Traslacion at the Quirino Grandstand on Thursday.

Of this number, six were transported to the hospital due to nausea and chest pain. 

The organization attended to minor health concerns of 66 patients including abrasion, puncture, neck pain, avulsion, burn, and hyperacidity, according to its 6 a.m. update.

Major health concerns were also reported by two patients, including dizziness with blurry vision, nausea, and body weakness. 

Different images

The MPD chief also confirmed that the image of Jesus Nazareno at the Traslacion is different from the image left at Quirino Grandstand for the continuing Pahalik or Pagpupugay.

"Iba 'yung prinusisyon. Iba rin 'yung iniwan sa Pahalik," Ibay said.

(The image at the procession is different from the one left at the Pahalik.)

"Ang nakikita nating dahilan dito ay  para maprotektahan 'yung relic mismo kaya nasa loob na siya mismo ng enclosure," he added.

(We see that the reason for this is to protect the actual relic that is why it is inside an enclosure.)

With this, devotees may only have their handkerchiefs or towels touch the casing or the cross.

"Kaya ngayon, ang pupuwede lang nilang pahiran ng ating mga panyo o mga bimpo ay ang casing at ang krus na nakausli sa likod. 'Yun na lang ang napaglalambitinan nitong mga nagpupumilit na sumampa [sa andas]," Ibay said.

(That is why devotees may only have their handkerchiefs or towels touch the casing and part of the cross at the back. That is where the devotees try to hang on to when they attempt to climb up the andas.)

"Matagal na ang relic na ito. Siguro pinoprotektahan na rin ng simbahan para tumagal pa ito at sa matagal na panahon ay marami pa ang makapagpugay sa Kanya," he added.

(The relic is very old. Maybe the church is protecting it so it will last and many more will be able to honor it.)

Crowd estimate

Ibay said so far, the crowd at Quirino Grandstand is the same as that of last year.

As of 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., the Quiapo Church said around 230,000 people have been observed at Rizal Park where Quirino Grandstand is, while around 16,700 were at Quiapo Church. 

Ibay asked devotees planning to join the Traslacion to do so while it is not yet so hot.

"Inaanyayahan natin kung sakali pumunta na sila habang malamig ang panahon," he said.

(We are inviting them to come while the weather is still mild.)

"Sana 'yung mga sasalang sa prusisyon, huwag na po nating salubungin. Huwag nating sampahan ang andas para maging maayos na maghapon itong ating prusisyon," Ibay said.

(For those who will join the procession, please do not block its way or meet it head on. Do not climb up the andas so the procession will proceed smoothly today.)

Last year, around 6.5 million devotees participated in Traslacion that was completed in 14 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds.

Malacañang announced that January 9, 2025 would be a special non-working holiday in the City of Manila in observance of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno. —KG, GMA Integrated News